Bobcats, Bears, and Blowouts… Oh My!

Bobcats, Bears, and Blowouts… Oh My!
By: Kevin Lo and Jon Leach
November 11, 2007

HAMDEN — Many questions faced the Quinnipiac Bobcats women’s basketball team after they finished finished 16-12 last season. This season, their hopes are higher, now that Erin Kerner is back and healthy. The Bobcats have high expectations: chosen to finish third in the NEC. That ranking gives them a proverbial bulls eye on their back at home and on the road. The top two scorers from last season are returning for the Bobcats: Monique Lee (14.5 pts per game), and the previously mentioned Erin Kerner (17.7 pts per game). The Bobcats also return a mature contributing cast, including Mandy Penewell who averaged 11.7 pts per game last year.  With a healthy Kerner and another year of experience these Bobcats look to really put their stamp on the NEC. 

Today, the Bobcats hosted the Brown University Bears at the TD Banknorth Sports Center for their season opener. The Bobcats established their presence early on with a strong offense and a stifling defense. Senior forward Monique Lee led the way in the early minutes of the game on both ends, with six points and two steals in the first three minutes of the game. “I just took what the defense was trying to give me,” Lee claimed in her response to falling just shy of a double double with twelve points and nine rebounds.

The defense proved just as dominant as the offense as they held the Brown Bears to within at least eight points throughout the half. Erin Kerner played well throughout the first ten minutes of the game, shooting five of six from the floor and two of three from three, finishing with 21 points in just 18 minutes of action, before sitting out due to early foul trouble. The score was twenty to eight midway through the first half. Kerner’s offensive production was replaced by the hard work and hustle of Sarah McGowan. She proved to be a key contributor to Quinnipiac’s air tight defense throughout the first half. The Bobcats defense held Brown to only 25% shooting from the field and forced 14 turnovers throughout the first half.

The second half started out much the same with two points by Monique Lee and a three pointer by Erin Kerner, who attributed her 8-12 shooting from the floor to “long warm-ups and playing smart due to foul trouble.” The defense continued to dictate the game’s tempo with a strong defensive presence down low. During one possession the Bobcats recorded four straight offensive rebounds. The stifling defense was evident by the eight travels Brown committed and their 30% field goal percentage.  

Coach Fabbri was pleased with her defense today and was able to make adjustments on the fly in order to keep the Brown offense on their toes. “We’ve practiced with each other for so long it was good to go out and play someone other than ourselves,” Coach Fabbri claimed when asked how her team was able to come out with the intensity of ten fully loaded pistols, guns ablazing. When asked how the team could make improvements for their upcoming tournament in Maine she responded with “everything, we need to put that intensity in a bottle and bring it to every game.”

Women’s Hoops Preview: Healthy Kerner Should Pay Dividends

Women’s Hoops Preview: Healthy Kerner Should Pay Dividends
By Zach Smart

For the Quinnipiac women’s basketball team, a rollercoaster 2006-2007 campaign is one they would all like to bounce from their memory banks. After being pegged as one of Northeast Conference’s premier programs (following an appearance in the conference championship in 2006), the Bobcats dropped to the middle of the pack. Self-doubt avalanched, spreading like wildfire. Despite some sublime sequences and marquee victories, it was a down year that ended with a 63-58 loss to Monmouth in the NEC quarterfinals.

A healthy Erin Kerner should help erase these memories. If anything, it should hurl the Bobcats back into the conference’s upper-tier, morphing them into a legit contender for the 2008 conference championship.

Quinnipiac was selected to finish third overall in the NEC pre-season coaches poll. Long Island, which received six first-place votes, was chosen to finish first. Robert Morris, which earned three first-place votes, was selected at second.

The return of redshirt sophomore Kathleen Neyens, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, should also pay dividends. A versatile 6-foot-1 guard, Neyens started all 30 games her freshman season, and was a key cog in the lineup. She garnered Rookie of the Week accolades after copping a double-double against Farleigh Dickinson and recording five steals during a crucial victory over Yale.

Kerner, a stud junior point guard, averaged 18 points and led the NEC in multiple offensive categories before having her season cut short with a nagging knee injury. The injury kept her sidelined for the final eight games of the season.

“I was really disappointed that I couldn’t finish the season,” recalls Kerner, who admits it was tough to watch the team from the bench—a situation she’s never been in throughout an illustrious career that started at Mercyhurst Prep in Erie, Pa.

“But they all did a really great job finishing the season.”

Kerner spent nearly her entire summer on campus, rehabbing five days a week while refining aspects of her game.

“I tried to work really hard to get back for this season,” Kerner explained. “Rehab was a little frustrating because I just wanted to be playing again, but I had to be very patient with the whole process. After six months of rehab I really hope I can come back to same the level I was at when I got hurt, and help the team win a championship.”

The Bobcats will likely have one of the more formidable backcourts in the northeast this season with Kerner, sharpshooter Mandy Pennewell, off guard Brianna Rooney, and the aforementioned Neyens.

Pennewell, perilous from beyond the arc, averaged 11.7 points last season, her campaign underscored by a 34-point eruption against Central Connecticut. Rooney, known more for her defensive prowess, registered a team-high 74 steals while dishing out 67 assists. The trio of Kerner, Pennewell, and Rooney is part of a revived 2005 recruiting class that help put the Bobcats on the map during the ’05-06 season.

Once again, the Bobcats will feature senior Monique Lee, an interior banger who averaged 15 points and eight boards to lead the Bobcats last season. Few teams on the NEC level have the personnel to counter Lee, who could emerge into a walking double-double this season.

Lee will have help from sophomore Courtney Kaminski, who turned many heads last season, averaging 10 points and five boards in significant minutes. Veteran players Hannalee Pervan and Nicole Duperron will provide stability in the front court.

Sophomore Sarah McGowan came on late last season, and the Pennsylvania native will be inserted as a sparkplug off the bench. The Bobcats should have depth with McGowan and sophomores Krystal Lazos, a small forward with a feathery jumper, and Megan Barnum, a quick-strike three-point shooter who starred at New York perennial powerhouse Our Lady of Lourdes High. All are flushed into more considerable roles as second-year players this season.

The Bobcats anticipate an immediate impact from acclaimed freshman Lailah Pratt, a McDonald’s All-American candidate at Palmyra High in South Jersey.

Pratt eclipsed 1,850 points and 1,200 rebounds during her storied four-year stay at Palmyra.

“As long as we can stay healthy, we should have a great season,” opined Kerner. “We’re kind of a veteran team with a lot of juniors and seniors, with some sophomores who got a lot of experience last year so we’re all kind of on the same page. The freshman look good so far, they’ve been pretty quick in picking up the offenses and making the adjustment to college basketball… We all have the same goal of winning a championship so we’ve really been trying to push each other in practice, (trying) to get better everyday.”

A Letter from the Editors

The WQAQ Sports Blog was an idea generated by the WQAQ Sports Department over the winter break between the fall and spring semesters this year.

We never thought it would get this big.

Since January 23, 2007, the day we started the blog, it has recieved just over 2,900 views from you, our loyal readers.

So for that, we say thank you.

Whether you are a parent of our fine Quinnipiac athletes, a parent of our fantastic WQAQ Sports Department staff that make up our writers, or a fan of Quinnipiac Athletics, thank you for reading all semester.

From the opening of the TD Banknorth Sports Center, to the firing of Joe DeSantis, to the hockey team’s run to the ECAC Hockey Championship Game, to the hiring of Tom Moore, and even through the baseball team’s trip to the NEC Tournament, this has been a truly historic semester for Quinnipiac Athletics, and we are truly glad we could bring it to you on this page.

So for the summer, we say adieu. But please know that we will be back in the fall. We hope to have have periodic articles over the summer, but WQAQ Sports will continue to endeavor to bring you the best Quinnipiac Sports coverage on the net when we return in the fall semester.

So until then, have a fantastic summer!

Sincerely,

Seth Rothman and Steve Tisi
WQAQ Sports Directors

Teams, Experiences, Thrill in the Playoffs

 Teams, Experiences, Thrill in the Playoffs

by Jeremy Schilling

March 9, 2007

            SOMEWHERE ON AN UNDISCLOSED TRAIN FROM CT TO NY — How apropos it is that in its first months of inception, the TD Banknorth Sports Center (TDBNSC) would be host to THREE teams making runs into their respective playoffs. Unfortunately women’s basketball ended their run early, but men’s basketball and hockey thrilled the crowd with their performances.

            Men’s basketball enjoyed a playoff run that began with a NEC Quarterfinal matchup at the TD Banknorth Sports Center on a Thursday night. Unfortunately, I don’t think many students realized that, as only about 25-30 showed up. Why, with a sparkling new arena, do practically 0 students show up to a game is beyond me. In contrast, many members of the public were there to enjoy a game where we were up big, only to blow a double-digit lead, and only to have Van Crafton score 12 points in 2:37 to lead us to a thrilling 78-77 victory over Farleigh Dickinson. They would lose three days later in the semifinals at Sacred Heart, but the positive thoughts of that night will surely live with Crafton for a long time.

            The next night Men’s hockey began its ECAC playoff run wit a best of 3 series versus Union College. The antithesis of Thursday night occurred, with 4 whole sections devoted to students filled to the gills, but some public sections were fairly empty!!! Folks, you have a hockey team that was ranked for 14 straight weeks, and don’t come out to their PLAYOFF series??  The student section, however, was rocking. From the first goal (arguably out biggest goal of the season, energizing a crowd that had somewhat lost faith after a subpar couple of months), to the last, it was a rocking TDBNSC. And a 3-1 victory to win Game 1 left the crowd with a good feeling.

            The next night, Saturday night, might forever be known as the night that hockey and popcorn met. I have no idea who, but someone started the idea of handing out big bags – no, not just cups, I mean big bags – and quickly every goal, hit, and save not only became important for the team and its faithful fans, but an opportunity for QU students to start throwing popcorn all over the place. And once again the public failed to show up in droves to witness this insane event!! As for the game, Union got the early goal, but the Bobcats battled back, eventually sending the game into overtime with a score of 4-4.

            College hockey overtime is a full 20 minutes, which meant there was a regular 15 minute intermission preceding it. And that’s when it hit me that Steve Colvin, Director of Promotions for QU Athletics, ran out of stuff to do and free things to give out. No more Crust Pizza giveaways, no more Zamboni contests, and no more dance contests that lead to videos of your wonderful writer here ending up on YouTube.  So the 15 minutes was spent with music, alternating between the Pep Band and the soundtrack of the PA guys. So that was the first thing that was different as we went into overtime. As I attempted to take in the atmosphere, however, I noticed something very disturbing: empty seats. I was so caught up in the game (as I normally am), that when we were leading 4-2 with 5 minutes left, I failed to notice that a lot of students had left. Since this arena opened 3 months ago, the mere thought of shuttle buses forces cringing in students’ heads. The shuttles’ reliability has been spotty, even though they have improved of late. So apparently, with that thought in mind many students left with 5 minutes to go, assuming a win. But folks, in sports, NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING!  Subsequently, I guess, the thought of a 20 minute overtime made more STUDENTS want to leave. So as Union and Quinnipiac returned to the ice, with Union’s season on the line, only half the students were still there! But this time the public got something right: practically none of them had left! And early on, Union took an interference penalty that led to a Reid Cashman pass to Jamie Bates for a goal and VICTORY. Ecstasy.. And popcorn, and a whole lot of it. Yes, the students that had picked up the free popcorn with the original intent of taking it back to their rooms to eat, suddenly hurled it into the air in a united exercise of happiness upon seeing Jamie Bates take us to The Promised Land of the ECAC Quarterfinals. OK, I’ll admit, that wasn’t my thought at the time, but in their slightly intoxicated states, it may well have been the thought of my fellow students.

            As I left TDBNSC’s hockey side, knowing there would be no chance of another Bobcat home game this academic year, I listened to the strains of “Sweet Caroline.” But at that moment I felt like the chorus should be part “Sweet Jamie Bates,” and the other part dedicated to the inventor of popcorn.

            And as I am sitting here, 6 days later, writing this on my train ride back home for Spring Break, I am thinking about how this same Quinnipiac Bobcat hockey team has made its way to Cornell to begin the conference tournament quarterfinal series tonight. That euphoric image of the popcorn going up into the air after the overtime win seems like it happened just moments ago. And win or lose this weekend, that image will stay with me for a very, very long time.  

Quinnipiac Nails it with One Word

By Matt Janik

“Dedication.”

Ten letters, five vowels, two meanings. The first meaning relates to the events and festivities surrounding the opening of a new building, such as Quinnipiac’s recent “Dedication Week” celebration to open the TD Banknorth Sports Center. Interestingly enough, it was the other meaning of “dedication,” the one that revolves around hard work and devotion, which was prevalent throughout “Dedication Week.”

It was a week for President John Lahey and the institution’s donors to sip drinks, shake hands, pat each other on the back, and marvel at what they accomplished (as well they should). For President Lahey, it was the latest step in transforming Quinnipiac into a nationally prominent university for both academics and athletics. The Quinnipiac administration may not always get it right, and they take their share of flak, but it is tough to argue that the overall trend is one of progress.

However, it is the donors who are really intriguing in all of this. They are not the ones who had the vision. There were not the ones to design and build this facility (rather, that was up to Lahey and other administration). Yet, they were the ones with the money to make it all happen. To be able to put a large sum of your own personal wealth behind a project that is merely a vision which won’t be a concrete object for years is certainly nothing that the rest of us can sneeze at. We like to occasionally poke fun at the VIPs who wine and dine up in their luxury boxes, but without them and their wallets, the vision would have remained exactly that, a vision. Their commitment helped ensure it would become a reality.

Thus, it was a week for them to kick back and enjoy what their dedication had brought.

It was a week for Jack McDonald to beam with pride (as well he should). For Quinnipiac’s Director of Athletics and Recreation, it was an opportunity to open a building that was his own and to lead Quinnipiac Athletics into its newest era. McDonald was at Boston College when they opened the Conte Forum, but he wasn’t the man in charge there. While at the University of Denver, he was instrumental in the planning and building of the Magness Center, but he had left for Quinnipiac before the arena opened. However, here in Hamden, McDonald was on hand for it all. He brought Quinnipiac to the Division I level, turned them from Braves into Bobcats, oversaw the renovation and development of facilities for all 21 varsity programs, culminating last week in the opening of the TD Banknorth Sports Center.

McDonald is no stranger to dedication, and for him it was a week to revel in it.

It was a week for everyone involved with Quinnipiac Athletics to take at least a moment out of their week and take in everything that the new facility had to offer (as well they should). For the staffs who worked hundreds upon hundreds of games at the Northford Ice Pavilion and Burt Kahn Court, it was a chance to ply their trade in a first-class arena for the first time. For the new staff who were hired specifically for certain facets of the new building (ushers, concessions), it was a chance to join the Quinnipiac Athletics family.

For the students, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help ring in a new era at their institution of learning (by, of course, getting wasted and being rowdy, but I digress).

Across the board, the dedication and energy ensured that “Dedication Week” was a special event.

Indeed, for one week, “dedication,” and even “perfection,” were both spelled with the letters “Q” and “U” (as well they should be).

TD Banknorth Center??? IN 3 PARTS (2) by Steve Tisi

Woman’s Basketball

3:18 – We are back to the woman’s game and I missed tip-off.  I can’t believe it…I actually really wanted to see it.  Score: 4-0 QU

 

3:21 – Alright, I didn’t bring it up during the last game, but today I am officially dubbing today “miss wide open lay ups day.”  Every team has done it and it’s absolutely amazing how such a basketball basic is just not happening.

 

3:29 – This game is back and forth.  Two very evenly matched teams with everything to play for it’s amazing to watch.  Side Note: 5 fouls between both teams in 7 minutes.

 

3:32 – (Within Steve’s mind) Monique Lee really never misses her shots

 

3:33 – Note to Joe DeSantis – get Monique Lee on your team

 

3:35 – Timeout. Michael v. Lauren in half court madness…that’s all I need to say.  QU is on a 13-2 run though.  Score: 21-12 QU

 

3:45 – I have to give the girls a ton of credit, they may not dunk, but their shooting is straight up and down majestic.  Score: 25-21 QU.  Side Note:  Where’s the pep-band, getting no love today.

 

3:53 – We hit halftime with a Mandy Pennewell 3-pointer to give the big Q a 33-25 advantage

 

4:12 – We have begun the 2^nd half and within a minute there have been 3 fouls.  I’m just going to go with no comment.  Score: 37-29 QU

 

4:19 – With the last basket, Monique Lee has hit the 1000 point plateau.  Congratulations Monique, you are one of the best players in the NEC and this just solidified.

 

4:22 – Wide open shots and clutch 3’s is the name of the game and LIU is hitting every single of them.  Score: 45-40 QU

 

4:35 – As we get down to the nitty-gritty, LIU has taken the lead off of a Sara Oblak lay-up.  Score: 49-50 LIU

 

4:37 – Could we be seeing another overtime game?  These teams are fighting tooth and nail.  I’m going to come out and say it; there are parts of this game that are just plain better then the men’s game.  Score: 51-50 QU  

 

4:44 – The tides have turned and LIU has hit a groove, but the Bobcats won’t go down that easily.  My biggest problem is that this LIU team is getting too many open looks, it’s killing the Bobcats.  Score: 56-59 LIU

 

4:48 – The fans have arrived finally, this place is bouncing and the energy is electrifying, here is QU at it’s best again…

 

4:53 – Sara Oblak is an absolute killer, another lay-up to put LIU up by 6. It’s the D, you have to play D.  It’s absurd that every time they seem to be coming back, the women just don’t do enough.

 

4:57 – A 3-pointer by Erin Kerner with 3 seconds left helped give the crowed something to cheer before the buzzer went of.  Side Note:  After her shot Erin went walking off the court limping, oh what a sign.  Side Side Note: later in the day we were able to interview Coach Fabbri who said everything is ok with Erin

 

Final Score: 65-69 LIU

 

2 hours…2 hours till Woman’s Hockey takes the ice.  A day of sports reporting…yeah it’s only a little awesome

Welcome Home, Quinnipiac Athletics (Part 1 - Dedication Ceremony)

 

Welcome Home, Quinnipiac Athletics

By Seth Rothman

January 27, 2007

HAMDEN — The day has finally arrived. The opening of the TD Banknorth Sports Center, Quinnipiac University’s brand new sports arena for basketball and hockey opens its doors today. First on the schedule, the Men’s Basketball team will take on Long Island University at 12:30 on a NESN televised game. Then, at 3:30, the women will try their luck against the Lady Blackbirds. Finally, at 7 pm, the hockey rink opens its doors for a contest against the top ranked Mercyhurst Lakers. This momentous occasion deserves a momentous blog, and we will give it to you right here. Moment by moment, from arriving at the arena, to the pre-game dedication ceremony, to all three games, this is the place to be.

The day started early.

9:15 – Wake up time. Waking up this early on a Saturday is usually not something to be happy about, but today there was good reason. Today, I didn’t mind waking up at an early hour.

10:30 – Students have to shuttle over to the TD Banknorth Sports Center, so at 10:30, I get to athletics. To my amazement, there are 8 or 9 busses just waiting to take students over to the beautiful arena. The trip over to the York Hill campus takes 5 minutes, and is completed by 10:45.

10:54 – I’ve already got my spiffy media press pass in hand. A great job by Quinnipiac, they had this thing completely worked out, and it was a very seamless procedure to get everything set up.

10:55 Hey look, it’s Mike Kobylanski! Kobes, as we all love to call him, is Quinnipiac’s Head Sports Information Director, and he does a fantastic job. A “great” job, if you will. He’s all hooked up with an earpiece and radio, and looks like a chicken with his head cut off. A common look for Quinnipiac’s Athletic Department on this historic day; though everyone in that department did an absolutely outstanding job, from where I sat today.

11:00 – After getting lost in the bowels of the TD Banknorth Sports Center (though not because of a lack of signage), we find our seats on press row: across from the Long Island University bench on the wing; a great spot to watch two basketball games.

11:08 – After putting our computer equipment down to “mark the spot” if you will, we head outside to await the festivities soon to take place. They will be unveiling a giant Bobcat, and of course formally dedicating the new building.

11:15 – Exactly on time, bagpipers welcome QU President John L. Lahey, Quinnipiac Athletic Director Jack McDonald, President of the Board of Trustees Terry Goodwin, TD Banknorth of CT President John Patrick, and lots of other dignitaries. Lahey calls this day “A historic day in the history of Quinnipiac University.” He goes on to ask members of the Connecticut national guard to use the flagpoles in front of this beautiful building. The United States flag, Quinnipiac University flag, and Connecticut state flag are now flying proud at this new building.

11:22 – Quinnipiac Student Government President Jennifer Rosenbaum takes the microphone to explain the legend of the Bobcat. As this statue is unveiled, she instructs all fans passing by to rub the paw of this creation every time they enter the building.

11:26 – With the help of all the dignitaries on the stage, the TD Banknorth Sports Center sign is unveiled to a gigantic cheer among the thousand or so fans already at this new arena. It is time for basketball.

Welcome Home, Quinnipiac Athletics (Part 3 - Women’s Basketball vs. LIU)

3:17 – After walking into the media lounge for the postgame press conferences with Joe DeSantis, Adam Gonzalez, and DeMario Anderson, its time for Women’s Basketball! The Ladies take on the Blackbirds of LIU in a battle of two of the top schools in the NEC.

3:18 – Hannalee Pervan scores the first basket for the women.

3:26 – A much smaller crowd here than at the men’s game that ended less than an hour ago. About 1,000 people in attendance this afternoon. LIU has stormed out of the gate, they lead 10-8, 14:32 left in the 1^st.

3:32 – Trish Sacca’s team plays a very fundamental, smart game. This is a team dedicated to the small things, to unselfish play, and it shows on the court.

3:34 – Since the last media timeout, Quinnipiac has gone on an 11-2 run. They now lead 19-12; 9:33 left in the 1^st half of the second ever game at the TD Banknorth Sports Center.

3:36 – Many Pennewell keeps it going with a deuce, and the Bobcats extend the lead to 21-12.

3:38 – “Big Mo” Monique Lee is dominating during the early going. She has 12 points in the first 12 and a half minutes.

3:39 – With Mandy Pennewell calling for the ball, Lee tries playing through a double team. After the missed basket, LIU gets the defensive board.

3:42 – Our final media timeout of a quick first half comes as Quinnipiac leads Long Island 25-18. 4:49 left; 1^st half.

3:46 – LIU is doing a much better job against Lee late this half. Monique hasn’t scored in the last 5 minutes. She’s getting double teamed, but still trying to throw the shots up. As a result, LIU is clawing back into it. They only trail by 4.

3:50 – After a Monique Lee miss, Krystal Lazos put home the put back to give the Bobcats a 6 point lead with 1:07 left in the half. She’s fouled on the play, makes the “and 1″, and gives Quinnipiac a 7 point lead.
 

3:53 – Mandy Pennewell drains a 3 pointer at the buzzer to send the Bobcats back to the dressing room with an 8 point lead, 33-25. It’s pretty impressive, because Monique Lee was held scoreless for the last 7 minutes of the half, but the Bobcats were able to find other ways to score.

4:08 – 20 minutes left in this one. Second half underway

4:09 – First shot of the half, and Monique Lee is back on the score sheet. She misses the free throw, but Quinnipiac leads by 10.

4:14 – Lee scores again. She has 18. This team runs and guns like the men, but the women are so much more in control.

4:16 – Erin Kerner has been completely shut down. She averages 18, but today: 0. Meanwhile, LIU is streaking a little bit, they now only trail by 4 with 15:00 left. The last basket Monique Lee made gave her 1,000 points in her career, and she receives a well-earned standing ovation.

4:23 – Back and forth action, but no one is making any baskets! Bobcats still lead by 5 with 11 to go.

4:28 – Thanks to unselfish passing, Pervan gets the easy lay-up.

4:32 – Quinnipiac’s Brianna Rooney travels, and LIU has the ball down by 2, 7:30 left.

4:36 – LIU has taken the lead. Sara Oblak scores the lay-up. But “Big Mo” comes back to the other side and drains one of her own. 51-50 Bobcats lead, 5:00 left.

4:39 – Tessy Hetting gets the lay and the harm for LIU, and the Blackbirds are back on top. They lead by 3.

4:42 – Mikaeler Whippy nails a 3 from right in front of our position at the wing, and LIU has taken their largest lead of the game. It’s a 6 point Bobcats deficit, 3:30 left.

4:45 – Mandy Pennewell’s running floater cuts the deficit to 3, 59-56. After an LIU turnover, the Bobcats can tie on this possession. 2:31 left.

4:46 – Lee nails a short range jumper, and the Bobcats have the lead cut to 1. Are we going to have 2 thrilling wins within 2 hours?

4:48 – Kerner is called for a foul, and Pennewell needs an explanation. Sonya Coleman goes to the line and knocks down 2 free throws to give LIU its 3 point lead back. It’s 61-58, 1:52 left.

4:52 – Quinnipiac is in lots of trouble now. Down 4, 52.4 left, and LIU has the basketball.

4:53 – Oblak drains a deuce, and the Bobcats turn it over trying to advance it up the court. Turn out the lights, folks. It’ll take a miracle for the Bobcats to win this one.

4:55 – Kerner nails her first 3 of the game. She has 5 points, but the Bobcats trail by 5 with 6.8 seconds left. 67-62 LIU leads.

4:57 – Kerner nails another 3 with 0.3 left, and as LIU runs out the clock, the final is 69-65 LIU over Quinnipiac. With this win, the Blackbirds set a school record; they have now won 9 consecutive games.